Your phone isn't secretly listening to you, but the truth is more disturbing
11 hours ago
- #smartphones
- #targeted-ads
- #privacy
- Smartphone microphone surveillance conspiracy theory suggests phones listen to private conversations for targeted ads.
- No clear evidence supports the theory that smartphones constantly listen to conversations for ad targeting.
- In 2024, Cox Media Group's 'Active Listening' system claimed to capture voice data for ads, but tech companies distanced themselves.
- Facebook admitted in 2019 to transcribing Messenger audio for testing but denied using microphones for ads.
- Wandera's 2019 experiment found no evidence of phones listening to conversations for ad targeting.
- Data consumption and battery usage tests showed no signs of constant microphone surveillance.
- Ex-Facebook employee explained the impracticality of constant audio surveillance due to massive data requirements.
- Research revealed apps taking screenshots and videos of screen activity, posing privacy risks.
- Targeted ads rely on vast data tracking (location, friends, interests) rather than microphone surveillance.
- Voice assistants like 'Hey Google' record briefly after activation, but constant recording is detectable and impractical.